Not every story about the homeless has an unhappy ending. Take for instance, the story of June Don.
For more than three decades, June lived in the streets of Ventura County. Until recently, June was a fixture in the Conejo Valley (Thousand Oaks). She was often seen at her makeshift home at a bus shelter at Lakeview Canyon and Townsgate Road or pushing around a shopping cart filled with her belongings.
An act of kindness by one person, however, turned June’s life around. Enter into the scene Michelle Munyon, a Thousand Oaks resident.
The first two times Michelle drove past the homeless woman sitting on a bench at a Thousand Oaks intersection, her heart went out to the older woman with the distinctive long, blond wig and shopping cart. The third time, Michelle pulled over and invited the woman to lunch at a nearby Carrows Restaurant.
Out of that small kindness, a friendship began. Michelle eventually coaxed June off the bus bench and into an assisted-living facility – after 34 years living on the streets June, who was born in New Orleans, finally had a soft bed to sleep on and a roof over her head.
At a recent event, people gathered to celebrate June’s 74’s birthday. A steady stream of guests came up to wish her a happy birthday and present her with gifts including beauty supplies, toiletries and flowers. June, in her trademark long blond wig and a new dress, greeted them all.
“I feel so blessed, so blessed, to see the community coming and just sharing in this day of love for June,” Michelle said.
Michelle’s friend Sally Tulao, a hairdresser from Sherman Oaks, gave June a dress to wear for her party and helped her with her makeup. “I put the makeup on today and I put the wig on for her and she’s just such a sweet lady and my hat just goes off to her,” Sally said.
“Michelle made a difference in June’s life. It’s like a little ripple and now it’s making a big wave,” Tulao said.
Guests at the party were invited to take part in a silent auction and raffle to raise money for a new non-profit organization set up by Michelle’s son Wes. Wes said The Centurion Center aims to spread what he calls “The Love Revolution” and help others in need in the local community.
Karol Schulkin, homeless services coordinator for Ventura County, said it is that first point of contact — whether it be talking to a homeless person on the streets or at a meal site — that is often the first step toward placing the chronically homeless, many of whom have disabilities, in housing.
“By necessity, a person has to adapt their life to less-than-appropriate circumstances,” Schulkin said. “In doing that, I think over a period of time regular indoor living isn’t attainable for them. It becomes hard for them to even imagine walking into a door. For others, it’s an economic reality.”
The money homeless people scrape together might be used for a meal or a place to stay for a night. But gathering money for a rental deposit on a home or apartment is insurmountable, Schulkin said.
“It’s kind of like tumbling down a cliff,” she said. “You pick up different challenges along the way.”
Mother Theresa once remarked that, "If you can't feed a hundred people, then feed just one." The story of June and Michelle’s remarkable friendship points out what miracles one person can achieve, just by feeding one person. Their story also points out that people do not need big government to solve their problems – we can do a far better job helping each other out on a one to one basis.
Mother Theresa also said, "At the end of life we will not be judged by how many diplomas we have received, how much money we have made, how many great things we have done. We will be judged by 'I was hungry and you gave me to eat, I was naked and you clothed me, I was homeless and you took me in.' Hungry not only for bread - but hungry for love. Naked not only for clothing - but naked for human dignity and respect. Homeless not only for want of a room of bricks - but homeless because of rejection."
Think about it...I challenge you!
1 comment:
Debbie, you have given us much to think about. In fact, June's story reminds me of your own encounter with Jenny (see, we do read and remember what you write). We can change the world one person at a time.
Please keep challenging us with your thoughtful writings.
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